THESIS APPROVAL
THESIS APPROVAL
THESIS APPROVAL
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whole live worms under stereomicroscope. The worms had slender, cylindrical body,<br />
which the body wall was so thin. Both two ends of their bodies were pointed. These<br />
worms had reddish bodies which were split into segments. Each segment composed<br />
of short bristles setae. They could move by stretching and pulling their bodies along<br />
in a worm-like fashion. They coiled tightly when disturbed.<br />
Figure 12 Features of the whole live worm under stereo microscope, 65x.<br />
Figure 13 depicted some morphological features of L. hoffmeisteri<br />
observed from this study. The active worms were characterized by a total length<br />
between 20-30 (25.52±3.29) mm. Size of these worms measured on wet weight basis<br />
was varied from about 3.154 to 4.557 (3.813±0.46) mg wwt. The worms had clearly<br />
segmented body of which the total count ranging from 50-90 (64.8±13.34) segments.<br />
The head was composed of distinguish triangular prostomium, whereas the tail was<br />
round. Setae could be found on most segments. All bifid crochets were found in both<br />
dorsal and ventral bundles, which the upper tooth was less shorter and thinner than the<br />
lower. Hair setae and pectinate setae were absent from L. hoffmeisteri. Anterior<br />
dorsal bundles were composed of 5-6 setae while ventral bundles were composed of<br />
6-7 setae. Posterior setae had become reduced in number falling to 2-3 setae which<br />
were shorter than the anterior. Although a few of specimens appeared to be sexually<br />
maturing which the genital structures began to develop in segment XI, no sign of<br />
partly or fully developed penis sheaths was present through the body wall.<br />
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